Air valve for steam radiators



Sept. 8, 1942.

INVENTOR Andrew ZarmeJ/(y ATTORN EY ?at entecl Sept. 8, i942 mam H 2,295, 3'I4 AIR VALVE FOR STEAM RADIATORS Andrew Zarnesky, New York, N. Y.

Application January 7, 1941, Serial No. 373,400

7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an air valve for steam radiators.

vMore particularly, the invention proposes the construction of an air valve which is characterized by a tubular casing having an open bottom end for'attachment -.on a steam radiator, and connected with a tubular member having a solid stem threadedly mounted therein and arranged to operate in a certain way so that the steam radiator may be controlled in several ways.

More particularly, the invention contemplates mounting a handle upon the top of the solid stem, and associating a scale with the handle, to directtuming of the handle, and thus turning of the solid stem to various positions, to obtain various actions of the air valve.

Still further the invention proposes in one position of the handle, that the air valve shall bein a shut off condition preventing the passage of steam into the radiator. With this arthe radiator with the usual valve provided for construction which will permit the handle to be 7 placed in various other positions for various other operations of the steam radiator. In another one of the positions specified it is proposed that the air valve operate to check banging. In still another position it is proposed that the air valve operate to prevent the spittingout of water from the air valve.

The invention also proposes other positions which will become clear as this specification proceeds.

Still further the invention contemplates an adaptation of the air valve so that it may be used also on concealed radiators.

Another object is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

I and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a'steam radiator with anair valve mounted thereon constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational viewlook ing, in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an inclined vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 14 of Fig. 2.

- rangement there is no necessity of turning of! Fig. 2 isa vertical sectional view 'drawn'o'n a large scale, of the air valve. per se.

Fig. 31s a plan view of Fig. 2. A

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the hne 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a window casement with a concealed radiator constructed-in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

The air valve, in accordance with this invention, is intended to be used in combination with a steam radiator ll) having the usual control valve The air valve I2 is mounted on the side of the radiator H], in the usual position of the usual air valve. However, the air valve I2 is of an improved construction.

The air valve' |2 includes a tubular casing l3 having an open bottom llior attachment on the steam radiator, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A tubular member I5 is mounted on the top of the tubular casing l3 and: has its top portion internally threaded with threads l6. A combined fioat and heat responsive device I! is mounted within the tubular casing l3 for controlling passage of air, steam and water to said tubular member l5. A cap I8 is mounted on the top of the tubular member I5 and has a sideopening I9 and a top opening 20.

A solid stem 2| is ,threadedly mounted within the tubular member l5 and has a bottom valve 22 closing passage from the casing l3 into the member l5. This solid stem 2| also is provided with a frusto-conical top portion 23 within said cap l8. Ahead portion 24 projects from 'the frusto-conical top portion 23 and extends throug the opening 20 of the cap l8.

A handle 25 is mounted on the head portion 24 by which the stem 2| may be easily turned. A groove 26 is formed in one side of. the solid stem 2| and is adapted to be aligned with several openings 21, 28 and 29 formed through the side wall of the tubular member IS. A compressible washer 30 is disposed within' the cap l8, and normalIy is loose within the cap l8 so that there is a tortuous passage around the compressible washer tubular member l5.

The top of the cap I8 is imprinted with a scale arranged in an annular area concentric with the axis of the handle 25. This scale has a group of points marked thereon and imprinted with One wall of this frusto conical passage is formed with a groove 38 having a small top portion 38 and a large base portion 38 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8. This large base portion 38 is adapted to be alignedwith the top portion of the groove 26 when the stem 23 is unscrewed a certain amount, and more particularly, when the pointer of the handle 25 is on the notation B of the scale on the cap l8, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The valve portion 22 of the solid stem 2| normally engages on a valve seat 3| formed in the This represents the closed position of the air valve. In this position the top portion of the groove 26 in the solid stem 2| is intimately adjacent the last or topmost thread of the internal threads |6. In this position the groove 26 is immediately to the left side of the opening 21 in the position as illustrated in Fig. 4. This represents the "oiP position of the valve. The seat 3| controls a passage 32 through the bottom portion'of the tubular member I5. This passage terminates in a double seat 33, 34 which is engaged by a valve 35 of the combined float and heat responsive device II. A one way valve 36 controls a passage 31 extending through the side of the tubular member I along the passage portion 32. This valve 31 is normally urged closed by an expansion spring 38. When the steam within the air valve condenses and a vacuum is produced, the valve 36 automatically is drawn open, so that air is sucked into the air valve to overcome the vacuum.

The combined float and heat responsive device includes a hollow body 48 adapted to float. The valve 35 is mounted on the top of the body. The body 48 has a flexible bottom wall 4|. An absorbent material object 42 is disposed within the body 48 and is saturated with some volatile liquid, such as alcohol, or other liquid, capable of great expansion when heated. The float 48 normally rests on an arched partition 43 mounted upon the bottom portion of the tubularcasing |3. The float 48 is illustrated in a hot position in which the valve 35 is closed.

When the float 48 cools to a normal temperature, the valve 35 will be opened. This valve may also be closed if the tubular casing 3 fllls up with water so that the float 48 floats. The arched partition 43 is provided with a plurality of passages 44 through which steam and water from the bottom portion of the tubular casing l3 may pass upwards into the air valve. is mounted through the bottom portion of a cap 41 mounted on the bottom of the tubular casing l3. This cap 41 is provided with the said opening l4.

The tube 46 has a washer 48 fixedly mounted thereon and cooperative with a series of grooves 49 formed internally in the cap 41. A washer 58 is loosely mounted on the top portion of the tube 46 and normally rests on a flange 5| fixedly mounted on the tube 46. This washer 58 is adapted to move upwards against a seat 52 formed within said arched partition 43.

The operation of the device is as follows:

.When the handle 24 is turned to the letter S" on the scale shown in Fig. 3 the solid stem 2| A tube 46 cushion to absorbthe surging within the radiator is slightly turned so that it moves up slightly opening the valve 22 and simultaneously aligning the groove 26with the opening 21. This opening 21 is a very small opening in relation to the size of the openings 28 and 29. In this position of the air valve the entrapped air or steam may escape but very slowly. When the steam .radiator is cold and it is desired that it heat quickly, the handle 23 is turned to A on the scale shown in Fig. 3. This opens the valve 22 a further dis-.

tance and aligns the groove 26 with the opening 28. The opening 28 is very large so that the entrapped air in the radiator may quickly escape, bringing the steam into the radiator very rapidly.

The handle 25 may be placed on the letter K" of the scale shown in Fig. 3 to align the groove 26 with the opening 29. This opening 28 is of an intermediate size, a size between the openings 21 and 28. The radiator is designed so that normally, to maintain a normal quantity of steam in the radiator, the handle 25 should be left' on the letter K.

In the event that the radiator system bangs, either when the radiator is turned on, or at any other time, it is necessary that the handle 25 be placed on B" of the scale shown in Fig. 3. This disconnects the groove 26 with the several openings 21, 28 and 23, but at this time the topportion of the groove 26 is slightly above the top end of the tubular member l5 and connects with the groove 38'. The steam may now escape up between the conical portion 23 of the stem 2| and the compressible washer 38 and through a tortuous path discharge through the opening IS in the cap |8.. This reduces or completely eliminates the banging action as now there is a which causes the bangs.

If water is spit out through the air valve, the handle 25 should be turned to W which will cause the solid stem 2| to rise a sufiicient distance so as to slightly compress the compressible washer 30. This cuts down the passage for the discharge of air and water from the opening l8, and consequently cuts down the spitting of the air valve. The handle 25 may be turned to R to further compress the compressible washer 38 so as to further out down the passage towards the opening l9. This further cuts down any spitting and limits escape of steam and air from the air valve to but a minute quantity.

The loose washer 58 upon the tube 46 also acts to cut down the banging of the radiator system. When an increase of pressure due to a bang comes along it strikes the washer 48, which lifts the tube 46 and engages the washer 58 against the seat 52. Furthermore, the increased pressure passing the edges of the washer 48 may also lift the washer 58 against the seat 52.

It is believed that in other respects the operation of the air valve will be clear tothose -skilled in the art since its construction in these respects is conventional.

In Fig. 9 the air valve I2 is shown connected with an extension stem 55 which connects with the handle 25 thereof. This extension stem has an auxiliary handle 25' on the window sill which words over a disc l8 imprinted with the scale shown on the top of the cap |8.- The radiator |8 may be completely controlled by manipulation of the handle 25 on the scale of the washer l8.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments-of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as, new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an air valve for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing, a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end port1on internally threaded, a capclosing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top opening and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted within said tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said inlet passage and also having a frusto-conical top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening of said cap, a handle mounted on said head for facilitating the turning of said stem, a groove formed in the side of said stem and selectively alignable in several turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-conical top portion for de- -'-creasing the passage through the side opening in said cap when said stem is screwedupwards. 2. In an air valve' for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing, a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end portion internally threaded, a cap closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top opening and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted within said tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said'inlet passage and also having a frusto-conical top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening of said cap a handle mounted on said head for facilitating the turning of said stem, a groove formed in the side of said stem and selectively alignable in several turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-oonical top portion forvdecreasing the passage through the side opening in said cap when said stem is screwed upwards, and an air vent valve mounted on one side of said tubular member and communicating with said inlet passage. Y

3. In an air valve for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water-from said casing, a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end portion internally threaded, a cap closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top opening and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted within said tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said inlet passage and also having a frusto-conical top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening or said cap, a handle mounted on said head for facilitating the turning of said stem, 9. grooveiormed in the side of a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing, a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and havingits other end portion intemally threaded, a cap'closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top opening and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted withinsaid tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said inlet passage and also having a frusto-conicai top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening of said cap, a handle M mounted on said head for facilitating the turning,'

of said stem, a groove formed in the side of said stem and selectively alignable in several turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the ,side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-conical top portion for decreasing the passage through the side opening in I said cap when said stem is screwed upwards, and

a scale imprinted upon said cap and over which said handle may move.

5. In an air valve for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam'radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing,

a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end portion internally threaded, a cap closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top opening and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted within said tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said inlet passage and also having a frusto-conica'l top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening of said cap, a handle mounted on said head for facilitating the turning of said stem, a

groove formed in the side of said stem and selectively alignable in several turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-conical top portion for decreasing the passage through the side opening in said cap when said stem is screwed upwards, said openings in said tubular member, comprising first a small opening, then a large opening and then an intermediate opening with which said groove may be selectively aligned.

6. In an air valve for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steamradiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing, a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end portion internally threaded, 'a cap closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the side of said tubular member, and

side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-conical top portion for decreasing the passage through the side opening in said cap when said stem is screwed upwards, said compressible washer having a groove adapted to be aligned with the top of the groove in said stem in a certain turned position of said stem.

7. In an air valve for steam radiators having a tubular casing with an open bottom for attachment on a steam radiator and a combined float and heat responsive device for controlling the passage of air, steam and water from said casing,

a tubular member having an inlet passage in one end and having its other end portion internally threaded, a cap closing the threaded end portion of said tubular member and having a top open ing and a side opening, a solid stem threadedly mounted within said tubular member and having a bottom valve controlling said inlet passage and also having a irusto-conical top portion within said cap and a head extending through the top opening of said cap, a handle mounted on said head for facilitating the turning of said stem, a groove formed in the side of said stem and selectively alignable in several turned positions of said stem with openings formed in the side of said tubular member, and a compressible washer within said cap cooperating with said frusto-conical top portion for decreasing the passage through the side opening in said cap when said stemis screwed upwards, said compressible washer having a frusto-conicai opening into which the frusto-conical top of said stem engages.

ANDREW ZARNESKY. 

